What to Wear When it's Raining

Stylish, not soggy.

In my subscriber chat recently, I asked what people struggle with most at this time of year. Overwhelmingly, the responses centred around rain. This is a newsletter I originally sent out around this time last year, updated with a couple of new outfits and new recommendations that come tried and tested.

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I’m from the northwest of England. It’s wet. Especially at this time of year, when at least a constant drizzle accompanies most days. It makes getting dressed… annoying. Give me the cold any day but rain? Suddenly my go-to trainers become obsolete. The very non-waterproof coats and jackets I always wear have to stay hung up on the peg. And I have to leave my heavier wool trousers alone — as soon as they start to get a bit soggy, it’s game over.

So the question is: how do you get dressed — and still feel good — when it’s raining? How do you bring in elements of your style so that when you arrive somewhere, dump your umbrella in the stand at the front door and hang up your wet coat, you still feel good underneath?

Well, here’s my ‘formula’. Below is a pretty standard look for me when it rains: a waterproof trench, light layers such as a T-shirt, long-sleeved top or lightweight knitwear depending on the time of year, ankle-length or cropped trousers, and chunky ankle boots.

Look 1: Smart(ish)

Wearing: Uniqlo U trench coat (old. Similar here and here), Aligne polo shirt* (I wear my usual size), Margaret Howell trousers (old. Similar here), Solovair boots*

Look 2: Casual

Wearing: Uniqlo U trench coat (old. Similar here and here), Fred Perry jumper (old), Stripe & Stare long-sleeved white top*, COS jeans, Merry People rain boots*

The waterproof coat

It starts with the coat. Until a few years ago, I didn’t have a ‘proper’ waterproof coat. I spent a lot of my childhood weekends in North Wales, stuffed into a (too big) hand-me-down Sprayway anorak so I think as I got older I wanted to move away from that aesthetic as much as possible. Inevitably I’d get wet and cold on those really rainy days as I tried to make my usual coats work (they didn’t). A few years ago I gave in and bought myself a waterproof trench coat from Uniqlo U. Admittedly, I doubt it would last for hours in the rain but it does the job when I’m out and about.

Besides its waterproof fabric, the best things about it are its length — it sits midway on my calves — and its hood, so I can have extra protection even when I do have an umbrella. I also love the style of it, so much so, that I often wear it on non-rainy days too. It has that classic beige trench coat design with Uniqlo U’s signature oversized fit — and it definitely doesn’t look like an anorak.

More raincoats

Stutterheim Mosebacke coat, recommended by a subscriber of The Jones Report who swears by this regular version, and the lightweight one. It has an A-line shape, is properly waterproof, and has double-welded seams to prevent moisture from seeping through. It also has a drawstring hood.

Norwegian Rain ‘Raincho’. A sculptural, versatile, stylish take on the see-through poncho. This one’s waterproof, unisex and comes with a fancy cashmere-lined collar.

Rains curve jacket. Was Rains the first brand to make raincoats cool? Quite possibly. This one blocks out water, wind and chill and comes with a removable belt so you can create a bit more shape if you want to. There’s also a drawstring hood. Rains also does decent rain-proof trousers for wearing over your clothes.

Stutterheim Faversham matte raincoat. Cycle to work? You’ll need a shorter coat, like this one. It’s made from a light waterproof matte fabric and has double-welded seams, a drawstring hood and a relaxed fit.

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The rest of this post is for paid subscribers. Behind the paywall, you’ll find my thoughts on both pairs of boots I’m wearing above and more rain-friendly shoe options. The best trousers that won’t drag up water on rainy days. And a range of long-sleeved tops to wear under your raincoat, that won’t make you overheat.

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